Category: Philosophy
What does “materialism” mean?
This term seems more straightforward than many of the others we are defining. But even this term has important subtleties that are too often overlooked. Evolutionists mean something very particular by it.
In short, “materialism” is a metaphysical commitment. It …
What does “naturalism” mean?
If ever there was a misunderstood term among religionists, this is it. Phillip Johnson has done more than anybody to clear up this term, but confusions remain, and even Johnson doesn’t go far enough. So, here we will attempt to …
What does “evolution” mean?
Many Christians think that the word means something much like this: “The progression of living things from ‘lower’ to ‘higher’ over time, where ‘lower’ sorts of creatures slowly turn into ‘higher’ sorts of creatures.” They imagine that evolutionists are committed …
Important Terms
As I said when discussing the notion of “incommensurable paradigms” (see the Kuhn article), for us to properly discuss evolutionary theory, we must “get into it” as thoroughly as possible. That means, in part, understanding some key terms …
Falsification and Intellectual Honesty
Last week in my lecture, I used an example of what I would take as a falsification of a literal interpretation of the early chapters of Genesis (which, I said, would actually have huge, sweeping implications throughout the Bible). I …
Scientific Theories
At times I speak “loosely” and quickly to make a point. For example, I have said things like, “My theory predicts that this chair will turn purple. Wait for it. Okay, it didn’t happen. So my theory has been falsified.” …
Thomas Kuhn and the Structure of Paradigms
Thomas Kuhn wrote The Structure of Scientific Revolutions in 1962. Perhaps no other volume has had as much of an impact on philosophy of science and on how scientists themselves perceive their work. Even the terms “paradigm” and “paradigm shift” …
Introduction to Evolutionary Theory
Finally we have enough background “pieces of the puzzle” on the table that we can have a semi-responsible discussion of evolutionary theory.
The first thing to note is that “evolutionary theory” has really gone beyond a typical “theory” at this …
Observables and Unobservables
Let’s say that I ask you a simple question: “Do you have hands?”
Do you even need to look before you answer? Of course not! You have used them, you have seen them, and you have felt them too many …
Realism vs. Anti-Realism
The reason this whole seminar makes “the rubber meet the road,” so to speak, is that we are ultimately doing metaphysics. We are ultimately talking about knowing about what there really is in the universe. We want reality! We …